Haslam To Return With BMW

Henny Ray Abrams | September 10, 2011

Leon Haslam will be back on a factory BMW in next year’s World Superbike Championship, the Brit re-signing with the German factory in an announcement that came today.Haslam, 28, is currently fifth in the 2010 World Superbike Championship in his first season of racing the BMW R1000S. He has put the bike on the podium at two races – Phillip Island in Australia and Monza in Italy – though the season has been less than what was expected from the team.

BMW says they will announce a second rider at “a later date.” It is generally believed that Australian Troy Corser will not be brought back into the team.”I am really happy to continue the relationship with BMW Motorrad, and I have full faith in the project,” Haslam said in a team release. “I cannot wait for the next year to start and to fight for the World Championship again. Now I can fully focus on the final three rounds of the 2011 season. I am optimistic to finish the year on a high.”BMW motorsports director Bernhard Gobmeier is also happy to have Haslam back in the fold.”We’re delighted to be working with Leon again next season,” Gobmeier said in the release. “Leon has impressed us from day one. We value and share his ambition, passion and absolute will to win. I’m in no doubt that we’ll be able to achieve our goals together.”

To see how Haslam fared last week at Nurburgring, see the following link:http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20110907#pg93